We had the good fortune of connecting with Mack Duncan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mack, what are you inspired by?
I’m heavily influenced by popular culture, but I am driven by a desire to tell new stories. No experience is truly universal. Everyone has a unique perspective to offer the world.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Since I didn’t dive into the comic book biz until about five years ago, I’m still a relative newb to the whole thing. It’s strange to start a new career at 45 (I’ll be 50 in October), but since I’ll be retired from teaching in a few years, I’m hoping this new venture will be rewarding.

The universe of AU draws a lot of inspiration from late 20th/early 21st-century popular culture. It’s a superhero world without capes and spandex. The stories start small with a police procedural and a teen drama. Eventually, there will be high-stakes, universe-altering crises, but it does all begin with people with powers who don’t really want them. It’s a little comic book with big publisher ambitions.

When I set up tables at conventions, I tell people it’s a 100% locally produced independent comic.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My wife and I love local restaurants. The Monarch Cafe in Scottsdale is a great “once every two years” spot (it’s not unheard of to walk out spending $500 in a night). The place closest to our hearts, though is Giuseppe’s On 28th (28th Street and Indian School Road). It a nice little family owned Italian place where you can taste the love in every meal. We loved it so much, we had them cater our wedding.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My wife, Suzanne Steinberg. She sets the example for me to be a better person every day.

Website: aucomics.com

Instagram: @AUComicBooks and @TheMackDuncan

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mack-duncan-6651649/

Twitter: @AUComicBooks and @MackDuncan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AUComicsGraphicNovel

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/MackDuncan

Image Credits
Photos by Mack Duncan Art by Ben Worrell

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